HCC and Jacobs Program Management announce small business networking event
By Diana Sanders
Jan 14, 2014
Houston Community College (HCC) and Jacobs Program Management Co. (Jacobs) call for Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) to mark their calendars for a networking event, which will bring together potential prime contractors and SBEs interested in construction projects for HCC’s $425 million bond program. Industry experts will also be on hand providing advice to SBEs about bonding, financing, insurance, wage compliance and becoming SBE certified, among other topics.
The free event and lunch takes place at the HCC West Loop Center, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014.
HCC begins construction on its Groundbreaker Bond Program in 2014, which includes a total of 14 projects across its six colleges. This inaugural networking event kicks off HCC’s small business engagement program, GameChanger, which has a goal of awarding 35 percent of bond construction work to SBEs.
The selection process is well underway for Groundbreaker’s prime contractors, who will be responsible for the day-to-day construction oversight for all 14 projects. The designated prime contractors, acting as Construction Managers At Risk (CMARs), will be announced in February, and interested SBEs are encouraged to attend the event to meet with potential prime contractors looking for subcontractors on construction projects.
“The Groundbreaker Bond Program is a substantial capital improvement project for HCC and Houston as a whole, and that means there’s a lot of economic opportunity available for SBEs that want to be part of the construction efforts,” said Winston Dahse, HCC Chief Facilities Officer. “This networking event will help local small businesses learn about the projects and meet face-to-face with the potential prime contractors.”
Also hosting the event is Jacobs, the firm selected as the program manager for HCC’s Groundbreaker Bond Program. Jacobs will supervise all construction projects for the capital improvement plan.
To register to attend this event, visit http://www.hccs.edu/gamechanger.